He’s also famous for his Sprinting & Hurdling book (which I have referenced several times on this Blog), which you can obtain by emailing Curtis Cowan at dev @ swingmodel.com (with no spaces). The cost is $30 USD.

Ralph Mann is a former world record holder and the 1972 Munich Olympic Silver medalist in the 400m Hurdles behind John Akii-Bua (more on John Akii-Bua can be found here and here).

In 1982 he established the USA Track and Field Elite Development Program that aimed to help American coaches integrate sports science into the preparation of their athletes as the Director of the Elite Athlete Sprint and Hurdle Program.

For the past 28 years, he has biomechanically analyzed every elite sprinter and hurdler with the goal of understanding the characteristics of great sprinters and hurdlers. This information has been used to evaluate and improve the performance of virtually every US sprint and hurdle athlete since the program’s inception. Too bad he didn’t cover the 4×100 meter relay.

Mann discusses how the current trend focuses more on stride rate and favoring front side mechanics (FSM) over back side mechanics (BSM).

He also concludes the two most important elements in the 100 meter sprint, and that is the start (especially the first 3 steps, where you can attain up to 60% top speed) and attaining maximum velocity in determining the 100 meter potential in any given athlete.

For those who are interested, the podcast can be found at http://coaching.uka.org.uk/ but it’s only accessible to UK residents. The rest of the world can use the handy dandy player below.

Jimson Lee

I am a Masters Athlete and Coach currently based in London UK. My other projects include the Bud Winter Foundation, writer for the IAAF New Studies in Athletics Journal (NSA) and a member of the Track & Field Writers of America.

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Online since 2002, with the addition of the Blog in 2007, SpeedEndurance.com is the book I never wrote with 2000+ articles.
I am a former 200m/400m sprinter, a Masters Athlete and Coach, who has lived in Canada, US, Italy, and now resides in London UK. My other projects include the Bud Winter Foundation, writer for the IAAF New Studies in Athletics Journal (NSA), and a member of the Track & Field Writers of America.

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